I Refuse to Compete

     One of the most interesting aspects about those of us who have chosen a ‘public’ ministry is the constant attacks and criticism we expose ourselves to. Obviously, we all would like to believe that our ministry is more unique and special than others, that we are contributing in greater measure than the next person.
     Unfortunately, due to our own human frailness and weaknesses, the enemy (Satan) knows one of our biggest Achilles heels is our own ego and pride. This aspect of our personality has been extant from inception, especially for those who have been raised in a society that values competition more so than service. We are surrounded by competition at all levels, having been exposed to this first in school and later in the marketplace, where greater value is placed on those who excel and obviously achieve more results than the other person in the same arena.
     I have seen this failing in the church more than I expected when I first came to Christ. Most church members fall all over and swoon at the charismatic preachers and evangelists who have been blessed with great oratory skills, and even those who so easily can spout scripture at a more rapid pace than a slot machine spewing quarters as it hits the jackpot. Many of those evangelists and preachers I worked with in the past surprised me when we gathered together after a giant crusade and or service. Such comments like, “I bet over a hundred people accepted Christ today,” or “how much money do you think we raised during the service.” This was the main reason why I left the traditional ministry and have devoted my time solely to writing and blogging on the Internet.

     For those who know me well, they see that I never ask for any funds, nor have I posted any credit card section on my blogs or web sites where people can donate. Like Paul, I choose not to compromise the Gospel by charging any money. I used  my own funds from my social security retirement benefits to pay for my books' printing and shipment costs. Some godly saints have sent unsolicited contributions which I used solely to get more books from my publisher and send them to those who could not afford to buy them. Trust me; I do not make a living from selling books. For the most part, whatever little royalty funds I receive I turn around and purchase books and send them to people who can’t afford to buy them. God provides all my needs!

     Yet, a heavy competitive attitude confronts me at every turn in whatever path I take on various threads and postings, that sadden me to no end. I believe that each and every one of us who feel compelled to preach the gospel has been given a unique gift from God, energized and powered by the Holy Spirit. Like most of the beautiful brothers and sisters I have met online, I marvel at their specialness and find myself praying that God will continue to use their respective ministries for the kingdom and glory of our precious savior. Sadly, I find myself being challenged on all turns as if others feel they have to call me onto the dusty road of town and place my hands close to my holster, cajoled into drawing my scriptural six-shooter at their command.

     The many years I spent researching and writing my two books were at the behest of the Holy Spirit. I was not seeking to become a successful Christian super star, earning millions of dollars nor becoming a renowned evangelist/preacher/author. I was compelled to write the things I discovered for one sole purpose: alert my fellow Christians that tribulation will increase as never expected, that there will be no Pre-Tribulation escape to Heaven, and many will suffer because they will buckle under an anti-Christian crusade that looms in the immediate horizon, because they fail to draw near to God. For the most part, the majority of people who are becoming aware of my book's premise do not agree with the doctrinal precepts included in my books. So be it. Only the Holy Spirit and time will prove their veracity. One thing is certain, tribulation is increasing as never before, and many Chrisitans (especially in America) are not prepared to deal with it!

     Those who not only embrace Jesus Christ, but pick up their cross and follow Him in service, who walk in the spirit with Him throughout the day, will more than likely be one of those who will experience God’s End Times Passover (Revelations 3:10). Many of these faithful servants, however, will suffer great tribulation and some will be martyrd for Christ. But, sadly, many will buckle under the mounting pressures and will deny Christ in order to survive and provide for their family.

     Nevertheless, and most often, I constrain myself from entering into most of these heated debates, and I merely walk away; but yet can hear behind me chuckles and retorts claiming victory. So be it.
     However, I recognize my role amongst the thousands of servants the Lord has called out to serve him in the best manner I can. If anything, I give praise daily to God for even using a sinner like me to carry forth any portion of His wisdom to reach others for Christ. My life’s slogan, for many years of service is, “I did the best I could with the tools I’ve been given.”
     Once again, A.W. Tozer, a theologian I have always admired and trust his wisdom from his many years in the ministry, sums it up best:

     So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor, (1 Corinthians 3:7-8)
     "Dear Lord, I refuse henceforth to compete with any of Thy servants. They have congregations larger than mine. So be it. I rejoice in their success. They have greater gifts. Very well. That is neither in their power nor in mine. I am humbly grateful for their greater gifts and my smaller ones. I only pray that I may use to Thy glory such modest gifts as I possess. I will not compare myself with any, nor try to build up my self-esteem by noting where I may excel one or another in Thy holy work. I herewith make a blanket disavowal of all intrinsic worth. I am but an unprofitable servant. I gladly go to the foot of the class and own myself the least of Thy people. If I err in my self-judgment and actually underestimate myself, I do not want to know it. I purpose to pray for others and to rejoice in their prosperity as if it were my own. And indeed it is my own if it is Thine own, for what is Thine is mine, and while one plants and another waters it is Thou alone that giveth the increase." The Price of Neglect, pp 104-105, by A.W. Tozer.

     In conclusion, hopefully those of us, who have chosen to be servants of Christ, will acknowledge and recogniz the wisdom found in what Paul stated in the book of Philippians when he said:


     It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice, (Philippians 1:15-18).


For information concerning the books written by the author, please click on Joe Ortiz

The Scramble for Popularity

    The most unfortunate aspect of at-large-ministry (especially on the Internet) is the scramble to gain popularity and approval from as many people as possible. The hope is that these ministers will be seen as unique in their own rights but also as popular as the major mega-star celebrities that can be found in the vast populace known as the elctronic church. The new church hero?

     Those ministers are well-known by members of local churches throughout the country, such theo-giants as Joel Osteen, John Hagee, Benny Hinn, Jack Van Impe, Hal Lindsey, T.J.Jakes, and of course the perrennial electronic church icon, the affable Pat Robertson. These theological shooting stars have been with us from eternity! Highly visible on impact, but effective as dust in the long haul!

     As the Internet morphs from a once known "geek" play toy, it is now becoming the arena where no one can afford not to participate in that hawk your ware's venue of any significance. This is a good thing for those innovative entrepreneurs who never had the financing or know how to compete with the "big boys!"

     However, it's also becoming the unofficially free "pulpit" for thousands of "wannabee" super star preachers and teachers of things religious. This can be good or bad when you consider that God can use whomever He chooses to deliver His message to the masses. Some would say that these "instant prophets" really don't have the education that most accredited theologians have acquired through many years of Bible college and seminary training. Novice theologians counter that God can use the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, which carries much scruptural validation,(1Corinthians 1:27).
     Nevertheless, whether educated or not, many of these unknown prophets competing in this arena from amongst the lowly ranks of religious society are scrambling for the publicity they need to reach their audience. One thing is certain, many of those who scramble for popularity are becoming obvious to those who hunger for God's truth. But, have they really been chosen and do they really represent God's will? Once again, my favorite theologian of days gone by, A.W Tozer, puts nails to the coffin as to whether how popular a preacher or teacher or broadcaster may be, is that person truly qualified or even sufficient to carry God's message, without Holy Spirit power?

Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you, (Matthew 5:11-12)

     Popular Judaism slew the prophets and crucified Christ. Popular Christianity killed the Reformers, jailed the Quakers and drove John Wesley into the streets. When it comes to religion, the crowds are always wrong. At any time there are a few who see, and the rest are blinded. To stand by the truth of God against the current religious vogue is always unpopular and may be downright dangerous....

     Christianity's scramble for popularity today is an unconscious acknowledgment of spiritual decline. Her eager fawning at the feet of the world's great is a grief to the Holy Spirit and an embarrassment to the sons of God. The lick-spittle attitude of popular Christian leaders toward the world's celebrities would make such men as Elijah or George Fox sick to the stomach....

     Lot was a popular believer. He sat in the gates of Sodom. But when trouble struck, he had to send quickly for Abraham to get him out of the jam. And where did they find Abraham? He was out on the hillside, far away from the fashionable crowds. It has always been so. For every Elijah there have always been 400 popular prophets of Baal. For every Noah there is always a vast multitude who will not believe it is going to rain.

     We are sent to bless the world, but never are we told to compromise with it. The Next Chapter After the Last, pp 20-21, by A.W. Tozer."

     Those who are involved in this new arena, who genuinely want to do God's work, can only do their best. And only time will tell if they passed the test. Then they will know if they were truly sent by God. Myself included!

For more information about this blog and the author's two books The End Times Passover and Why Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulation please click on Joe Ortiz

The Passion for Publicity

The Message or the Messenger?

     One of the main ingredients to any successful endeavor is a well-thought out, practical designed marketing plan that requires strategic advertisement and publicizing of one’s product and or services. If folks don’t know what you are selling, then how can they know if they even want what you are offering? This is all well and good.

     However, when it comes to preaching and or teaching the public about the things of Christ (obviously we are promoting salvation and its redeeming value to those around us) there is a tendency to confuse the product from the vendor. In the religious marketplace, it appears that much adoration has resulted in the messenger becoming more important than the message. Unfortunately, many of the messengers themselves have come to believe they are just as important as the message due to the response from the audience. If neither the messengers nor their audience can distinguish the greater importance between them and Christ, then we truly have a problem. Yet, many can see that the way we market the message to the audience can create the very entities that become more idolized than the message itself. Are you getting the message, here?

     This outreach problem is an historical one, but getting worse daily. Times have changed from the days of walking up and down the streets of Rome and Bethlehem, preaching the Gospel at great expense. Nowadays, the marketplace includes giant stadiums and arenas, mega churches, radio and television broadcasts and now the new 800 pound gorilla, the Internet. To gain exposure in this international stage requires the development of unique and imaginative approaches that stand above the others to capture even a small portion of that highly competitive niche market. It forces (and, actually, due to lack of faith), the messengers begin to trust in themselves and their creative marketing strategies to draw attention to the proverbial message, which is Jesus Christ. Today’s church is inundated with an aura of competition that is driving a bigger wedge amongst its members than ever before. Its historical parochial nature (which is probably its biggest shortcoming) has the numerous and varying doctrines being pitted against each other, rather than in delivering the truest message of all: Jesus Christ, and Him crucified!

     Coming from a strong marketing and public relations background, I realize how powerful these tools can be; unique techniques to sway others to choose your message above others. The secular world has mastered this art of influence, and, unfortunately the church is not too far behind with its own techniques.
     Yet, I am fully aware that the power of the Holy Spirit is much, much stronger than Madison Avenue and the societal and psychological ploys it uses to motivate the masses. If church entities would seek the authorization for Holy Spirit power to effectuate their spiritual endeavors to obtain positive results, it could eliminate the majority of not only its financial concerns, but its need to feel their mission is more important than the message. This is also the only way we can really know if that messenger has been blessed by God and whether His message is being revealed to those who need it most. Sadly, way too many are responding to the wrong (but very effective marketing strategies) that the messengers (and their trinkets) are more important than the message. Once again, a great theologian, A.W. Tozer puts this problem in perspective:

For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness-God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ, (1 Thessalonians 2:5-6)

     If this is a fairly accurate view of things, what can we say then when Christian men vie with one another for place and position? What can we answer when we see them hungrily seeking for praise and honor?
     How can we excuse that passion for publicity which is so glaringly evident among Christian leaders? What about political ambition in Church circles? What about the fevered palm that is stretched out for more and bigger "love offerings"?
     What about the shameless egotism among Christians? How can we explain the gross man-worship that habitually blows up one and another popular leader to the size of a colossus? What about the obsequious hand kissing of moneyed men by those purporting to be sound preachers of the gospel?

     There is only one answer to these questions; it is simply that in these manifestations we see the world and nothing but the world. No passionate profession of love for 'souls' can change evil into good. These are the very sins that crucified Jesus. The Pursuit of Man, pp126, by A.W. Tozer.


For more information about the author and his two books The End Times Passover and Why Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulation, please click on Joe Ortiz.